HSK 5
不得了
bù dé liǎo
不得了
Explanation
不得了 (bùdéliǎo) is a fixed phrase used to express an extremely high degree: either "serious, critical", or "wonderful, amazing", usually carrying an exclamatory tone (blurted out in astonishment).
There are two usages. (1) 不得了了 (bùdéliǎo le) placed at the beginning of a sentence, exclaimed when something urgent happens, equivalent to "oh no, disaster, we're done for". (2) 真是不得了 / [quality]得不得了: emphasizes an amazing, astonishing degree (can be good or bad).
When exclaiming at an urgent, unexpected situation (不得了了，房间里进水了 - oh no, the room is flooding); or when marveling at something beyond the ordinary (真是不得了 - that's really amazing).
Whether the meaning is good or bad depends on context: 考了第一名，真是不得了 is praise; 电脑坏了，不得了了 is panic.
Vietnamese learners easily understand 不得了 only in the bad sense of "dangerous". In fact it is also used to praise a high degree. Also, when used as a degree complement (the element after an adjective indicating degree) you must use 得: 热得不得了 (extremely hot), you do not say 热不得了.
Examples
You came in first again, that's really amazing (so good)!
Oh no, the room is flooding.
We're done for, we're done for, disaster, the computer is broken.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “不得了” effectively
The grammar point “不得了” (不得了) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.